Page 2649 - Politics
'Perform or suffer': JK Governor's message to bureaucrats
"Perform or suffer" is the message of Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik for the state's bureaucrats and he says he has been directed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to build a "badhiya (wonderful) Kashmir" where corruption, inefficiency and sluggishness will not be tolerated. During an interview with PTI recently, the governor had outlined many schemes for generation of employment in the state. These ideas include roping in private players. "When I started for Kashmir, the prime minister told me to give the people of the state a 'badhiya Kashmir'. Acting on these directions, I created a corporation immediately after taking over. It borrowed Rs 8,000 crore from banks for (completing) all the pending projects within one year," he said while answering questions on development. Asked whether private companies will be brought into the state, the governor said, "For that, we need to clear the perception about the Valley, especially Srinagar. "There are teething problems, including ..
Opposition attacks government for snooping outside CBI chief's home
Opposition parties attacked the Modi government after Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials were caught snooping outside CBI Director Alok Verma's home earlier on Thursday calling it an attempt to "intimidate dissent".
After Chhattisgarh, BJP's Rajasthan MLAs fear party may drop them
After the BJP denied tickets to several sitting MLAs in the first list of candidates for the Chhattisgarh assembly polls, party legislators in Rajasthan are keeping their fingers crossed. No list is out yet in Rajasthan, where assembly elections will be held after the polling in Chhattisgarh, but party leaders say there is apprehension among its MLAs over failing to secure a renomination. This comes amid speculation that about 80 BJP MLAs in Rajasthan will be denied the ticket this time as the party fights anti-incumbency and faces a stiffer challenge from the Congress in the December 7 elections, as indicated by some opinion polls. The current 200-member Assembly has 161 BJP MLAs. Party leaders said some sitting MLAs are trying to seek tickets for their family members after their poor performance in the bypolls for the parliamentary seats of Ajmer and Alwar and the Mandalgarh assembly seat. Several party MLAs have indicated to the state leadership that want to change their ...
Naidu lambasts Centre for hampering AP's development
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has lambasted Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government, saying that it is deliberately trying to hamper the development of the state.While speaking at the Collectors Conference in Amaravati, Naidu said that such attitude of the Centre is a "result of bad leadership"."The central government did not give (Andhra Pradesh) special status or any special package. They even took back the funds already released. Funds for Polavaram national project are also not being released," Naidu said."Smart cities will yield higher income for the Centre than the states. Had the Centre released a good amount of funds, we would have recorded greater development. But nominal funds are being released," he added.Naidu further took a jibe at the central government for causing hurdles in their endeavours to build Amaravati as smart city. "We are building Amaravati capital city as the best city. But the Centre is not providing funds. The Centre is ...
'Foreign aid or bailout packages can't save Pak from bankruptcy'
Voice of Karachi (VOK) chairman Nadeem Nusrat has said that the Saudi monetary package for Pakistan can only delay, but not prevent the inevitable.He said that Pakistan, a country of 200 million people, cannot continue to run on foreign charity, aid, grants, or bailout packages.Nusrat further underscored that the country needs a fundamental change in the direction the country has been driven so far. He said that Pakistan has constantly relied on foreign aid and loans for decades to sustain itself."All the media reports suggest that Pakistan has secured nearly USD 6 billion from Saudi Arabia to address its current financial crisis. This also shows that the Pakistani government and establishments have failed to satisfy the World Bank, IMF and other international lenders. They have not done their homework properly. This is why they have failed to secure a proper bailout package from these organisations," Nusrat elucidated."Despite achieving freedom over 70 years ago, Pakistan is yet to ..
President Kovind declines plea to disqualify 27 AAP MLAs
In a major relief to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday dismissed a plea to disqualify 27 Member of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) of the party for allegedly holding office-of-profit as chairpersons of Rogi Kalyan Samitis in various hospitals in the national capital.President Kovind passed the order based on the recommendations of the Election Commission of India (ECI).In 2016, a complaint was filed by a lawyer in the ECI claiming that the 27 MLAs were liable for disqualification for occupying the office of the chairpersons in Rogi Kalyan Samitis. The complaint claimed that they are in a position to interfere in the day-to-day administration of these hospitals.Rogi Kalyan Samitis were introduced in 2005 under the National Rural Health Mission as a forum to improve the functioning and service provision in public health facilities, increase participation and enhance accountability.This plea was different from the office-of-profit allegation leveled against ..
US suspicious packages: Robert De Niro's restaurant becomes latest target
Hollywood veteran Robert De Niro's restaurant, Tribeca Grill, has become the latest target in a string of incidents which have seen prominent politicians and CNN's office receiving suspicious packages believed to be potentially dangerous.Sources have told the New York Post that the package is "the same" as the ones sent to former United States president Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, amongst others.Officials from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) have been pressed into action and have cordoned off the area around Greenwich and Franklin streets in Tribeca, Manhattan.Furthermore, NYPD Commissioner James P. O'Neill said the package is being taken to a secure facility in the Bronx.
Didn't listen to Imran Khan's address: Nawaz Sharif
Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday refused to answer questions on Prime Minister Imran Khan's address to the nation, asserting that he did not listen to his speech.Sharif made the comments while appearing before an accountability court in Islamabad over graft cases against his family.When questioned about the address and Pakistan's recent financial deal with Saudi Arabia, Sharif replied, "I seldom watch TV and did not listen to his address." The three-time prime minister further refused to take any other questions after that, Geo News reported.On Wednesday, Khan thanked Saudi Arabia for easing the pressure on Pakistan by extending financial help to the cash-strapped nation."My Pakistanis, today I am here with good news for all of you. We were facing really hard times. We were highly pressurised into paying heavy debts. But thanks to Saudi Arabia's extension of assistance, we are out of the pressure," the 66-year-old leader said in the address.Stating that the ...
Cong writes to PM Modi, dubs CBI 'Controlled by Intrusion'
The Congress on Thursday came down heavily on the recent developments in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by dubbing the probe agency as 'Controlled by Intrusion', implying at the alleged interference of the Centre into the functioning of the agency.In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior party leader Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the decision to send CBI Director Alok Verma on leave. "The actions taken in the early hours of October 24 morning in transferring the Director and his entire team, amount to a grave violation of the law, the Supreme Court's clear directions on the subject and the Constitution of India," he wrote.Kharge said that the only reason behind this "hasty" move could be to hamper the ongoing investigations into the Special Director's cases and other cases which might expose Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government."There are no visible grounds to transfer the Director. The only plausible explanation for this desperate and hasty move is an ...
November meeting to outline blueprint for January's anti-BJP rally: Trinamool
The Trinamool Congress will hold a meeting with all its party MPs, MLAs and senior leaders on November 16 to chalk out a blueprint for a proposed anti-BJP rally to be held here on January 19, 2019, a party official said on Thursday.
YSRC chief Reddy injured in knife attack at airport, assailant
YSR Congress chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy was Thursday injured in a knife attack by a chef employed at a restaurant allegedly owned by a ruling TDP leader at the Visakhapatnam airport, police said. Reddy, the Leader of the Opposition in Andhra Pradesh assembly, escaped with a "deep" cut on his left shoulder. J Srinivasa Rao (30), the assailant, approached Reddy when he was leaving the VIP lounge to board a flight to Hyderabad and requested for a 'selfie'. As an unsuspecting Reddy posed for the picture, the man pulled out a small knife generally used in cockfights and plunged it into his left shoulder. Rao was overpowered by the CISF personnel guarding the airport and handed over to the state police which is now questioning him. "To everyone worried about my safety, Id like to inform you that I am safe. Gods grace and the love, concern and blessings of the people of Andhra Pradesh will protect me. "Such cowardice acts will not dissuade me but only strengthen my resolve to ..
Cong to protest outside all CBI offices tomorrow to demand Verma's reinstatement
The Congress will hold protests outside all CBI offices across the country on Friday, demanding reinstatement of its ousted director Alok Verma and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "destroying the image of the premier investigating agency". In a letter to all Congress general secretaries, state unit chiefs and legislature party leaders, AICC General Secretary Ashok Gehlot has asked them to hold demonstrations against the BJP government outside all CBI offices across the country. Senior Congress leaders will participate in the protest outside the Central Bureau of Investigation headquarters in the national capital, while state leaders will lead the demonstrations in their regions, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said. Gehlot in his letter said, "An illegal, unconstitutional and illegitimate removal of the CBI director by the Modi-Shah duo has shamed India and its premier investigative agency." The prime minister is experiencing 'Rafale-o-Phobia' and "this
ITBP to enhance intel gathering, war skills for China theatre
The ITBP has drafted a proposal to enhance its surveillance and intelligence gathering skills along the China border even as it has for the first-time introduced 'war games' exercises for its commanders to better prepare them for all types of conflicts on the disputed and icy terrain, officials said Thursday. Officiating at the 57th raising day of the force here, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the government has also decided to create 'integrated composite border posts' for Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) in forward areas so that troops deployed in these hard areas and amid sub-zero temperatures are able to get water in liquid form and the temperature inside is controlled at 20-22 degrees. Chief of the force R K Pachnanda said they have sent a proposal to the Union home ministry for implementing a comprehensive integrated border management system (CIBMS) along the 3,488-km Sino-India border so that all tech-based tools for border guarding are collaborated for better results. A ...
TMC calls extended core committee meet on Nov 16 on opposition
The Trinamool Congress leadership has convened an extended core committee meeting on November 16 to discuss the proposed rally of the opposition parties in Kolkata in January next year ahead of the general election, a senior party leader said Thursday. A meeting of all party MPs, MLAs, office bearers, panchayat and municipal office bearers have been convened at Netaji Indoor stadium on November 16. The meeting will be addressed by TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. "In the meeting we will discuss various aspects of the opposition rally in Kolkata on January 19, especially the organizational aspects of the rally. Our party supremo has given the call to oust BJP in 2019. And we all have to work towards it," TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee told reporters. Banerjee, who has floated the concept of federal front of regional parties, has called a rally of opposition parties in Kolkata to give a call to oust the BJP from the Centre. The TMC ...
Verma was doing 'good job', urge PM to reconsider action
BJP MP Subramanian Swamy on Thursday said CBI Director Alok Verma is an "upright officer" who was doing a "good job" to check corruption and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider action taken against him. Swamy said he has full faith in the prime minister but claimed that those "around him" are trying to "harm the interests" of Modi as well as the BJP. Verma and CBI's Special Director Rakesh Asthana, who were at loggerheads, were divested of all powers and sent on leave by the government on Tuesday night. Swamy, who was here to attend an event, told reporters that Verma was doing a "good job" in the fight against corruption. "I urge the prime minister to reconsider removal of CBI director Alok Verma," the BJP MP said. "Alok Verma is an upright officer, while Asthana is a corrupt officer," Swamy alleged. Asked if he has any proof of the allegations that he was levelling against Asthana, Swamy said he never speaks anything without proper proof. "Nirav Modi ran ...
China army to do 'whatever it takes' to retain Taiwan
China's defence minister warned Thursday that the military would do "whatever it takes" to stop any attempt to "split" Taiwan from the mainland, days after a pro-independence protest on the island and a US naval operation. Beijing considers the self-ruled, democratic island to be part of its territory awaiting reunification, even though the two sides have been governed separately since the end of a civil war on the mainland in 1949. "It is extremely dangerous to repeatedly challenge China's limits on this issue," Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe said at the Xiangshan Forum, a regional security dialogue hosted by Beijing. "If anyone tries to split Taiwan from China, the Chinese army will certainly do whatever it takes, and inevitably take resolute action," he added. Tens of thousands of Taiwan independence campaigners took to the streets of Taipei on Saturday for a major rally that was a rebuke to Beijing and a challenge to the island's embattled government. Then on Monday US ...
As political strain grows, pipe bombs target Democrats, CNN
Pipe bombs packed with shards of glass were intercepted en route to several prominent Democrats, including former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, in an unnerving wave that deepened political tensions and fears two weeks before national midterm elections. None of the seven bombs detonated Wednesday, and nobody was hurt as authorities in New York, Washington, D.C., Florida and California seized the suspicious packages. On Thursday, New York police said they were responding to reports of a suspicious package in the Tribeca neighborhood in Manhattan. A bomb squad unit on Thursday morning drove in a caravan through the city after leaving the neighborhood. It was not immediately clear if the development was related to the pipe bombs sent to the prominent Democrats. One of the explosives was sent to CNN, which prompted the evacuation of the Time Warner Center in Manhattan where the news outlet has its offices. The targets of the bombs were some of the figures most frequently ...
Goans are not buying fish due to formalin scare: Sardesai
Fear of formalin-laced fish is keeping away Goas from buying fish, Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai said here Thursday. Addressing a national conference near here, he said fish imported from the East Coast of the country was supposedly laced with Formaldehyde which is "carcinogenic". "How safe is food that we eat? Today, we are discussing this issue in Goa. It has become a big issue. Our staple diet is fish and we used to get it from the East Coast when there is a ban on fishing on the West Coast (during monsoon). "That fish which was imported from East Coast was supposedly laced with formaldehyde, being used as a preservative which is also carcinogenic," Sardesai said. He was addressing the 31st National Conference on "Agro-Tourism, Doubling of Farmers Income, Economics of Production and marketing of Cashew and Coconuts". Sardesai said retail fish markets in Goa, especially in Margao, have become deserted because are not buying the fish due to formalin ...
Japanese journalist kidnapped in Syria returns home
Japanese journalist Jumpei Yasuda returned home on Thursday after spending more than three years as a hostage in Syria.
HC upholds TN Speaker's decision disqualifying 18 AIADMK MLAs
In a major relief to the AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu, the Madras High Court on Thursday upheld the state Assembly Speaker's decision disqualifying 18 AIADMK legislators last year that could pave the way for bye-elections in 20 constituencies, including two left vacant by the death of the incumbents.